‘Every touch point with a patient is important.’

As a surgeon, Dr. Vishal Bhalani chose
urology as his specialty because it not only provided the challenge
of treating a range of conditions but more importantly, because
urology offered the opportunity to have enduring relationships with
his patients.

“I love urology because you have this
real continuity with patients. I might perform a vasectomy for a
patient in his 30s and then treat him for prostate concerns in his
60s,” he explains.

As Chief Medical Officer of Advanced
Urology, Dr. Bhalani’s priority on patient relationships is a vital
part of the practice’s culture. “Our focus is on individualized
therapy. I treat a patient like I want to be treated… I don’t
want to be just plugged into a protocol. I focus on one patient at a
time and I want that patient to know he or she has my undivided
attention.”

Most of us probably don’t have a
great understanding of urology – yet. The specialty encompasses
conditions that effect a large percentage of the population. Eighty
(80%) percent of men in their lifetime will be affected by prostate
enlargement, while one in six Americans – men and women – will
suffer from overactive bladder. And then there’s kidney stones, a
condition much more prevalent here in the South.

Because these concerns and conditions
are so widespread, patient education is important. The physicians at
Advanced Urology strongly encourage prostate cancer screening at age
50, earlier if there are risk factors or family history.

Treatment for urology concerns – from
prostate enlargement to urological cancers to bladder issues –
continue to evolve and change. Advanced Urology is at the forefront
of providing the latest technologies and techniques to their
patients. They are a Center of Excellence for Urolift, and one of the
first to perform Aquablation for BPH or benign enlarged prostate.

For prostate cancer treatment, Advanced
Urology is the only practice in Georgia that has the ExactVu
Micro-Ultrasound System, an ultra high-resolution ultrasound option
that provides much more precision in biopsies.

But more important than just having
these treatment options, says Dr. Bhalani, is ensuring that they
achieve the goal of providing patients better outcomes. So Advanced
Urology tracks both effectiveness and results, and continually
evaluates their treatment protocols.

The practice is completely structured
around the patient experience. One unique factor is that all aspects
of patient care can be handled “in house” at an Advanced Urology
office – diagnosis, labs, imaging and treatment, including
in-office surgical procedures. That means patients just visit one
location and have the comfort of a consistent care team.

In addition to helping patients
understand the full scope of their diagnosis and treatment plan,
Advanced Urology devotes equal emphasis to staff education – for
every member of the team. This starts with hiring the top physicians
in the field and includes making sure that all staff – from those
in the reception area to those that transport the patients – know
the importance of their role. (Advanced Urology was just named a Top
Workplace by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)

“We’re passionate about this, and I
want everyone on our team to know that. These can be sensitive
issues, and we want our patients to feel comfortable with us,” says
Dr. Bhalani. “Every touch point with a patient is important.”

Dr. Vishal BhalaniChief Medical Officer, Advanced UrologyDiplomate, American Board of UrologySpecialist in all aspects of genitourinary surgery and expert in male and female incontinenceUniversity of Miami, Leonard M. Miller School of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (general surgery internship)Northwestern University (residency in urology, served as chief resident)Patient’s Choice Award 2018Compassionate Doctor Award 2018 Americas Most Honored Professionals 2018